Traits: Inherited vs. Acquired

Traits are something that is passed on. Although many of these are inherited, or passed down from generation to generation, others are acquired through a large variety of activities that are “picked up”, or gained through different experiences.

Inherited traits are not passed solely from a single parent, but instead are passed on from both parents in sexually reproducing organisms. Some examples include the color, length, and type of hair you have, the color and the shape of eyes you have, the general body shape you have, etc. You don’t control which genes you receive because your parents each contribute to your genotype, or genes, that you have. For example, if both your parents have brown eyes, you are very likely to have brown eyes too. However, you are not guaranteed to receive the traits shown in your parent’s phenotypes, or appearance. Alleles can be dominant or recessive. If a dominant allele is present in a genotype, it will show for sure in your phenotype. Recessive traits are overpowered by dominant alleles, but when both alleles inherited are recessive, both the allele received from your mother and the allele received from your father, the recessive trait will be shown in the phenotype of the organism.

Acquired traits are traits that are picked up or developed over a period of time through forming habits. This can include knowledge, skills, ideas, memories, behaviors, and personality traits. These traits are not passed genetically from parent to child, or generation to generation. You have more control over these traits that you acquire because you can control them, unlike your genotypes.

Acquired traits can be influenced by many different factors. Inherited traits will always be present and are passed down from generation to generation. Both of these types of traits combine together in order to make you who you are, a unique individual.



Resources

"Inherited vs Acquired Traits." Inherited vs Acquired Traits. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013.   http://utahscience.oremjr.alpine.k12.ut.us/sciber01/7th/cells/html/inhvsacq.htm.